Corticosteroids in Lupus Nephritis and Central Nervous System Lupus

Abstract

Corticosteroids are a mainstay of therapy for severe organ-threatening systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus nephritis and central nervous system (CNS) lupus remain two of the most debilitating and potentially life-threatening manifestations of lupus. The dose and duration of corticosteroids required for control of lupus nephritis and CNS lupus have never been tested in a randomized trial design, so current recommendations are based on observation and expert opinion. As more targeted individualized therapeutic approaches are developed for lupus nephritis and CNS lupus, reliance on long-term corticosteroids will decrease, as will the long-term damage and early mortality associated with their use.

Keywords: Autoimmune disease; Glomerulonephritis; Glucocorticoids; Neuropsychiatric lupus; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Treatment.